Becoming Maverick

02/18/2026

So many applications! 🤩 thank you all, I look forward to the interviews!

02/18/2026

Dear dog trainers inventing new names for the term “dog trainer”.

I get it, but your name “science-based balanced dog trainer” is not what your clients type into Google.

“Dog trainer” is.

I used to get caught up in how I presented my name, I grappled with the word “dog trainer” for years as I didn’t feel it highlighted my past experience and skill set of what I do in the profession and outside it: coaching, mentorship, leadership, nutrition, anatomy, biomechanics among many—the substance I spent years studying before putting my medical books down to pursue a career helping dog owners.

I later came to find, dog trainer was one of many hats I wear. I let go of how others viewed the term; those who judged, but were not in the profession itself and viewed dog trainers as “less than”. Dog trainers are some of the hardest working most incredible entrepreneurs I’ve ever met and I respect the heck out of them and what they do on a daily basis.

I also learned, owners want help, and the fancy label itself is not important. The differentiation is only for other trainers, self importance, and or an association to a credible educational source — which the later makes sense.

The term “relationship based dog training” is a trade marked name by the Canine and Human Relationship Institute Canine has become a buzzword used by trainers who do not study or are associated with the institute itself (it just sounds good so it’s now in their name tag and owners do not know (or care)).

Simply put, it doesn’t matter anymore. Know yourself, trust in your abilities, and know the right people will find you — support you, and learn from you with gratitude. This is more rewarding than having to prove who you are in labels and terms. Know what you do is important and valued— because of who you are. Your worth is not tied to any credential or term. It is also not tied soley to your work. It is you— stick to doing you. It’s what makes you stand out in an industry that currently seeks to copy, impersonate, and boost self importance for attention and credit.

You will be happier and your clients will be so glad they found you — the person behind the label ❤️

02/17/2026

WE'RE HIRING!

Becoming Maverick Dog Training is hiring Kennel Technician with Working Dog Position.

Part-Time to Start | Growth Opportunity Available
Becoming Maverick Dog Training is growing and we’re looking for an energetic, reliable, and responsible human to join our team.

This role is ideal for aspiring dog trainers, canine professionals, dog walkers, dog enthusiasts, and those who love hands-on work with dogs looking to advance their knowledge in canine behaviour, handling, and professional dog training. Role has opportunity to grow into a trainer role.

What You’ll Do:
•Provide daily care for dogs (feeding, cleaning, medication, safe play & exercise)
•Assist during training sessions and group classes
•Handle dogs of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments
•Monitor dog health, behaviour, and communicate observations
•Support client drop-off/pick-up with professionalism
•Maintain a clean, safe, structured training environment
•Follow all safety and sanitation protocols
•Advanced opportunity to lead dog walks, pack walks, our door hiking adventures and group classes

What We’re Looking For:
•Genuine love of dogs and commitment to their wellbeing
•Coachable, reliable, and detail-oriented
•Thirst for knowledge
•Comfortable working indoors/outdoors and on your feet
•Positive attitude and strong communication skills
•Skills in tech and social media management is an asset if experienced, not required
•Animal experience in medical, first aid, rescue shelters, handling is an asset—but not required (opportunity to train the right candidate)

Growth Opportunity:
We promote from within. Team members who demonstrate strong work ethic, professionalism, and leadership may advance into Trainer-in-Training or Assistant Trainer roles with mentorship and ongoing education.

Hours: Part-time to start; 4-6 hours a day
Location: Cochrane / Calgary area
Pay: CA$17.00-CA$20.00 per hour

Apply by sending your resume and cover letter to:
hello@becomingmaverick.com
or DM us directly

This is more than a dog handling job—it’s an opportunity to build real skills and a career working in professional dog training.

02/13/2026

If you’re a student or client of mine you know how we discuss prey predator behavior and the influence of your energy, body, and motion.

We also go into spatial zones and the meaning of each zone. What it means to the human and the dog.
Love this video and how it displays both in combination.

Want to learn more about how to apply this in real life and or master the concepts of dog training? Reach out to us today www.becomingmaverick.com

01/15/2026

Fulfilled humans and dogs, that’s what we’re all about. Want to learn how you can enhance your relationship with your best friend? Check out us. Shoot a message or give us as call 📞.

Www.becomingmaverick.com
Helping dogs and owners since 2018

01/15/2026

Maverick used to open doors! Still can, but only opens the truck windows these days. Anyone else’s dog have ninja like abilities!?

12/30/2025

Shorter version of our earlier post, from 1st January, you we only get the shorter version posts on this page, for the long in-depth article you have to subscribe (£0.99/$1.30), hit the subscribe button on our page.

Dogs Learn in Pictures, Not Paragraphs

Dogs don’t think things through.
They associate.

Lead + keys + boots = walk.
Same picture, same reaction.

If your dog explodes at the sight of the lead, it’s not excitement, it’s anticipation without regulation.

Want calmer behaviour?
Change the picture.

Pick up the lead. Put it down. Nothing happens.
Make the crate mean calm, not punishment.
Stop rigid routines.

Dogs don’t hate objects, they hate predictable outcomes.

Edit the picture…
and the behaviour follows.

12/20/2025

Local clients. Click the link to read more

A fatal case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a dog in Alberta — the second confirmed case in Canada. While HPAI primarily affects birds, it can also infect domestic animals, including pets, through contact with, or ingestion of, infected wild birds.

What you can do to keep your pet safe:
- Keep pets away from wild birds and carcasses,
- Avoid feeding raw poultry or unpasteurized milk,
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet shows respiratory or neurological symptoms.

Cats are particularly vulnerable, with cases often linked to infected birds or raw pet food. Farm cats can be early indicators of HPAI on dairy or poultry farms, so monitor their health closely.

Learn more about HPAI and how to help protect animals by visiting the Government of Alberta website: https://www.alberta.ca/h5n1-avian-influenza-in-alberta

08/30/2025

Life and training are not mutually exclusive. They are interconnected and interwoven into our experience and relationships. Everything I’ve learned in all areas of my life I apply to “dog training” and better educating my students. Everything in “dog training” I also apply to everything I do and teach. Always learning and improving, while finding better ways to navigate this thing we call life, training, and my understanding of it all. That’s what you will learn.

08/30/2025

Working on our body conditioning. Two years ago we began implementing intentional movement to improve range of motion and improve imbalances in Mavericks hind end. No different than what we call a “work out”. Then we go back to hunting gophers, it’s our routine. I’ll video our circuit next, always fun being with my best buddy.

08/23/2025

Last week I found myself unsettled by the advice my client was given from her puppy's breeder on how to help stop jumping.

The owner informed me their breeder told them to step on their puppy's back paw to teach them to stop jumping...

Please DO NOT do this. You will break your dogs foot and/or toes as well as the trust and bond you are wanting to build with your pup.

With all the arguments online about "methodology" and slander campaigns about aversive tools, people are distracted and missing the point (and the big picture).

Uneducated improper advice is dangerous. Stepping on your puppy's (or dogs) foot to teach them not to do something is abusive- period. It will negatively impact the dog's psyche as well give them a broken foot.

This advice is not appropriate nor accurate behaviorally in any context. It will not help teach them in any capacity.

I have been thinking of all the puppy owners who have been told this advice and who take it seriously (as many do when provided by a professional). The poor owners and the poor dogs.

If you know someone who has been told this advice, please inform them immediately. If you have been given this advice yourself, I am sorry you were mislead. Although in many cases it is unintentional and those providing the advice genuinely believe in the advice they provide, it shows there are greater flaws in the industry. We can do better and it starts with education.

Our goal at Becoming Maverick is to spread proper education to owners and canine professionals. Education that improves the quality of life and care of the dogs, owners, and ourselves.

When we know better, we do better.

*photo is not of client puppy. Photo is of Maverick, my Siberian Husky companion who began this entire movement. He is held by my Nana, this was the first time they met-- it highlights the beginning of a bond and beautiful relationship.